[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: The "sale" uses U.S. grant money that Egypt
applies to its ongoing program to prepare to invade an unnamed country
immediately East of them (one hint - it starts with "I" and is not Italy)
rather than invest in improving Egypt.]

WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of
a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt of M1A1 Abrams tank kits as well
as associated equipment and services.

The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $847
million.

The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale of 125 M1A1 Abrams
tank kits each with a Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer, Firepower
Enhancement Package and armor upgrades. Additional Major Defense Equipment
(MDE) include 125 M256 Armament Systems, 125 M2 .50 caliber machine guns,
250 M204 7.62mm machine guns, and non-MDE for spare and repair parts,
special tool and test equipment, personnel training and equipment,
publications, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics
personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. The
estimated cost is $847 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national
security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a
friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for
political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

Egypt is demilitarizing its Soviet fleet. This proposed sale will increase
the quantity of the Abrams tank co-production program, started in 1988, from
the current level of 880 tanks, to 1,005 tanks. The additional M1A1 tanks
will modernize Egypt's tank fleet. Egypt, which has already co-produced the
M1A1 Abrams tanks, will have no difficulty absorbing the additional tanks.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic
military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be General Dynamics of Sterling Heights, Michigan.
There are no offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential
sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of up to 40
U.S. contractor representatives for up to two years in Egypt. The six U.S.
Government representatives already in country who currently manage the M1A1
and M88A2 HERCULES co-production programs will also manage this program for
production and fielding.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of
this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that
the sale has been concluded.